As Oluski sat in their midst, the observed of all observers, he looked the picture of a patriarch. The time and piece were both in harmony with the subject. Oluski's story drew to a close. His hero had achieved his triumph. The distressed Seminole maiden was rescued, and joy and union wound up the tale, which had for more than an hour held his listeners enthralled. "So now, children, away! The sun is sinking in the west; the hour of council is at hand, and I must leave you. Return to-morrow, and I will relate to you some other episode in the history of our tribe." The young people rose at the chief's bidding, and with "thanks" and "good nights," prepared to depart; Sansuta among the rest. "Where are you going child?" asked her father. "Only to the spring, father. I shall be back soon." As the girl said this, she turned, as if wishing to avoid her father's gaze. The other people had all departed. "Well," said the old man, after a pause, "do not forget to return soon. I would not have you abroad after nightfall." She murmured a few words, and sauntered away from the spot. Oluski did not immediately depart, but stood leaning against the spear that stood up in front of his dwelling. The old man's eyes were filled with tears, while a hand was laid upon his heart. "Poor girl," he reflected, as he watched her form disappearing in the fast darkening twilight; "she never knew her mother. I sometimes think I have been but a poor guardian of Sansuta's steps. But the Great Spirit knows I have tried to do my duty." Sighing heavily, he brushed the tears from his eyes, and strode off to the council house. CHAPTER TEN. AN APPOINTMENT KEPT BY DEPUTY. Let us follow the steps of Sansuta. Once out of sight, and conscious that she had eluded her father's observation, she quickened her steps, not in the direction of the spring, but towards a thick clump of live oaks which grew at the foot of the hill. As she approached the spot, her pace gradually became slower, until she at length came to a stop. As she paused, a shiver ran through her frame. She was evidently in doubt as to the propriety of what she was doing. The sun had sunk below the horizon, and darkness was rapidly falling over the landscape. A distant murmuring alone gave token of the proximity of the Indian village upon the hill. After a few moments, and while Sansuta still stood beside the grove, these sounds ceased, and perfect silence reigned around the spot. Presently a cuckoo's note was heard--followed by another nearer and louder--that in its turn succeeded by three others. Whilst the echo of the last still vibrated on the evening air, the maiden was startled by a sudden apparition. It sprang into view at her very feet, as if the ground had opened suddenly to give it passage. When the girl regained courage sufficient to look upon it, her fears were in no way lessened.